1 Samuel 20:42 Meaning: Jonathan's Peaceful Farewell to David

In 1 Samuel 20:42, Jonathan sends David away in peace and recalls the mutual oath they made in the name of the Lord, invoking the Lord in relation to both men and their descendants forever.

“And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.” (KJV)

1 Samuel 20:42 Meaning

In this verse, Jonathan speaks directly to David, telling him to "go in peace," which forms the opening of his farewell. Jonathan grounds his farewell in an oath that he and David had both sworn in the name of the Lord. The oath includes the phrase, "The Lord be between me and thee," which is the wording Jonathan recalls from their oath, placing the Lord within the stated relationship between Jonathan and David.

Moreover, the oath extends to their descendants, as indicated by the phrase "between my seed and thy seed for ever." This establishes a lasting connection not only between Jonathan and David but also between their future generations. The verse concludes with a separation: one man departs, while Jonathan goes into the city, marking the end of this poignant moment between the two friends.

Context of 1 Samuel 20:42

The immediate context of this verse includes 1 Samuel 20:40, where Jonathan sends his lad and the artillery to the city before the private meeting and farewell described in the following verses.

In the preceding verse, 1 Samuel 20:41, David and Jonathan meet, bowing, kissing, and weeping before Jonathan's words in verse 42. This exchange highlights their friendship, though the specific motives or emotional states of the characters are not detailed in this verse.

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